Ep. 086 | Love Shouldn’t Hurt: The Murder of Cyarah Vince

Written By Kelsey Mutch

In March 2020, at the height of the pandemic, 23-year-old Cyarah Vince was shot and killed by her boyfriend, Austin Altomare. Cyarah was bright, ambitious, vibrant, and full of adventure. But after she met Austin, those closest to her watched her spark slowly fade. The signs were subtle at first—small intrusions that didn’t raise immediate alarms on their own: limiting her time with friends and family, breaking her phone during arguments, starting fights at bars and forcing her to leave early. Over time, Cyarah became isolated from friends and family; and one person reported seeing bruises on her face. Taken together, these “minor” incidents formed a clear pattern of emotional abuse and control that only became obvious in hindsight.

On March 26, 2020, Cyarah and Austin had a friend, J.B., over for dinner. Afterward, the three used recreational drugs. Austin became agitated, pulled out a gun, and opened fire on J.B., who escaped the apartment. What happened next is known only through the aftermath. When neighbors called 911 reporting gunshots, officers arrived to find Cyarah inside the home, shot in the forehead and fighting desperately for her life. She was rushed to the hospital and she fought for her life for more than 45 minutes. In the early hours of March 27, Cyarah tragically passed away.

Cyarah’s story is a devastating reminder that the earliest warning signs of an abusive relationship can be quiet, gradual, and easy to dismiss. Her mother, Tamara, hopes that by sharing Cyarah’s life and story, others may recognize those signs sooner and seek help before they escalate. In her honor, loved ones established the Cyarah Vince Foundation, whose mission is “to bring change and awareness to Lorain County communities regarding domestic violence through support of foundations, organization partnerships, and other community involvement.”

You can donate to the Cyarah Vince Foundation at the link below:

https://cyarahvincefoundation.org/donate/

SOURCES:

Kelsey Mutch
Next

Ep. 085 | Justice for Rashawn Brazell